Effects of continuously infusing glucose or casein into the terminal ileum on biomarkers of metabolism, inflammation, and intestinal morphology in growing pigs

Abstract

<p>Study objectives were to determine the effects of continuously infusing glucose (GLC) or casein (CAS) into the terminal ileum on biomarkers of metabolism, inflammation, and intestinal morphology in growing pigs. Crossbred gilts (n=19; 81±3 kg body weight [BW]) previously fitted with T-cannulas at terminal ileum were used in the current experiment. Following 4 d of acclimation, pigs were enrolled in 2 experimental 4-d periods (P). During P1, pigs were housed in individual pens and fed ad libitum for collection of baseline parameters. At the beginning of P2, pigs were assigned to 1 of 3 infusion treatments: 1) control (CON; water; 3 L/d; n=7), 2) GLC (dextrose 50%; 500 g/d; n=6;), or 3) CAS (casein sodium salt; 300 g/d; n=6). Water, GLC, and CAS solutions were continuously infused at a rate of 125 mL/h for the entirety of P2. Animals were euthanized at the end of P2, and intestinal tissue was collected. During P2, average daily feed intake differed across treatments and was reduced in GLC compared to CON pigs (14%), while CAS pigs consumed an intermediate amount (P=0.05). Average daily gain and final BW were similar across treatments. A treatment by time interaction was observed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN; P</p>